Extended Holiday
Chp 10: A Royal Thank You
Act 1
Matthew looked up as the others slowly stumbled out of the room and rubbing sleep from their eyes. They blinked a little. “What? I couldn’t sleep so I got ready early. Also I ordered some breakfast for us to eat before the ceremony. Mainly some Strawberries and pancakes.” he smiled as he looked down and smoothed out imaginary wrinkles in his Dress uniform.
Shawn blinked and came out of the bathroom also already dressed in his fanciest noble outfit. “I have insomnia, I just can’t sleep long.” He said shrugging, then he returned to one of the writing desks.
Taze grumbled a little and glared at Mutatio. Who looked back innocently. “It worked on getting you up.”
“You sounded like a Cicada alarm clock.” Taze responded grumpily. “Damn things kept us up all night when we were camping with my grandparents.”
Matthew just smiled and shook his head. “Anyway, shall we eat before we need to arrive for the ceremony?” He looked at the clock on the wall. “At least we are up early.”
“I wonder what it’s going to be like.” Shawn said from where he was sitting. It was here they noticed something, Moonshade was missing.
“Maple syrup?” Taze asked sitting down to a stack of pancakes. Matthew smiled as he pointed to a jar of the sticky goodness in the middle of a table that had been put up in the middle room. Taze also could see that for the moment they had used boxes to create seats with the pillows on top of the boxes to cushion the seats somewhat. Taze took the syrup and liberally applied syrup to his pancakes. “Oh how I missed you my friend.” He told the bottle before setting it down.
Matthew only chuckled while putting what looked like butter onto his pancakes and then a little amount of syrup. Not even three bites in he was moving his fingers funny. “Great, never fails I always get Syrup on my fingers, no matter how I do, I mean I didn’t even leave the silverware in the syrup and it still moves to my fingers.”
“So, anyone else looking forward to this?” Taze asked
Shawn nodded from where he was sitting. “I am, just hoping my side doesn’t flare up from having to do stuff.” He chuckled, pulling out the small bottle from his front pocket, opening it and taking out a pill.
“I just hope after this we can go somewhere less…. Canterlot” Taze sighed. He turned to the changeling in the room. “You guys eat actual food at all” he asked.
The Changeling looked up from a plate that Matthew had placed in front of him. “No, but it seems to smell good.” He took a small bite and.. What happened next was best to just think of if your dog who could talk had found something of joy to eat. It also happened that he found a favorite topping. Strawberries and Syrup. Matthew just paused and stared. It didn’t help that syrup was on the table and flecks of food flew off the plate and onto the table.
“What is this stuff? it is so good and tasty, and, I must show my others just what this wonderful food is.” He did not know that he was having bad table manners.
Matthew seemed unflinching at the table manners. In fact he was shaking his head and returning to eating. “Riku, Riku, Riku.” he muttered to himself.
“Can we feed him peanut butter?” Taze asked “I want to see if he acts like a dog when they eat peanut butter.”
“Peanut butter? What is that?” Mutatio asked looking up at the three humans. “Is it as tasty as this is?”
“My friend, we have a whole new world of things to show you.” Taze laughed.
Matthew suppressed a small chuckle a little. He was happy to see what he hoped to be a nice friendship, and he had to cover his mouth as he realized that they were going to in a way corrup a Changeling to think like a human, and that was both funny, scary, and freaky at the same time.
“So I guess we need to get ready huh?” Taze said getting up from his cleared plate.
Shawn only looked down and back up. “Done.” He chuckled.
“Well, I’ll meet you all down there, I want some more.” Matthew replied as he put on a third stack of pancakes. “I, I am so happy my appetite is back to normal.” he looked back and chuckled out loud. “However I cannot think we can beat…” He blinked and looked to the ceiling. “How did you get syrup on the ceiling Mutatio?”
“For later eating while you are at the ceremony, I shall stay here out of sight.” Mutatio replied matter of factly.
“Oh, Matt can I borrow your crossbow?” Taze asked.
“What for? Why do you need it?” Matt asked with confusion.
“Well I’m obviously our Wookie.” Taze laughed. “Need a bowcaster!”
Matthew only rolled his eyes along with a shake of his head. “But you have your weapons on your back… but if you want to appear all decked out.” He sighed, “besides I think Crossbows are not authorized for this uniform.” He chuckled a little. “A Longbow, maybe. If I was in the Royal British Army.”
Shawn chuckled with him. “Now I need to figure out something…” He pulled his coat open revealing his two sheathed swords. “Should I leave these here, or keep them on me?” He adjusted one of the straps. “I’ve been keeping these on me a majority of the time…”
“It’s a presentation for acts of valor.” Taze said. “Generally you appear to these kinda things armed.”
Shawn only shrugged and gave a small nod in agreement.
Matthew nodded his head. “I will be armed, only you have my weapon, so if something happens, you give it to me okay?” He replied with a small joke to show he understood what Taze said.
Luna checked the straps on her bracers carefully. She was decked out in her ceremonial armor unlike her other suit this was a simple breast plate pauldrons and bracers. Her hammer was harnessed onto her back. Her face turned to wonder as Celestia walked into the room wearing her usual regalia.
“Sister what are you doing? We are honoring the valor of those who fought for Canterlot, we should be meeting them as warriors, where is thine armor where is thy sword?” She asked confused.
“I haven’t held the blade since before you left sister, Equestria has been at peace I see no reason to approach our subjects draped for war.” Celestia said checking her toque.
“But sister we have been attacked, blood was drawn, it was a battle to approach our subjects as anything else would be disrespectful.” Luna insisted. “Come, send a servant to retrieve Dawnsear quickly.”
“Luna, I haven’t worn it in years.” Celestia pressed.
“Please sister, so much has changed since we were gone, but we have been informed that the warriors code has remained steadfast, it is all we have and we would wish to hold onto it.” Luna looked at her sister with eye’s Celestia had not seen in such a long time.
“I… very well Luna...” Celestia relented. “I will send for Dawnsear.” The solar diarch went to get a servant.
The three humans when they arrived were quickly placed in the back of the forming up guards. Who were all stationing and moving in a small area that funneled into a parade ground that was in front of Canterlot Castle.
As they got ready a signal was given and the front line moved forward using fife and drums to lead the troops. Shawn and Taze looked to their sides and saw a strange difference the usual smile and loose demeanor that Matthew had carried was gone. His back was ramrod straight and his arms at his side with his hands curled into fists. He was moving his feet slightly to the beat of the marching and then their line was moving in fact at first Matthew was the only one who moved forward having been to his two friends entranced by the rhythmic beat of drums and shrill sound of the fife.
At the front and where they could not see were the colors of the units on parade. Three flags of individual units with ribbons that stated campaigns. At the front was Luna’s personal guard with the campaigns that they had fought with her on. Back with the three humans was a unit flag with only one ribbon and a new one. This unit had seen only one campaign and that being the defense of Canterlot. They marched and soon as they got into the bigger parade ground the tight group spilled out into a larger formation. With a small cluster of troops in front being the Fife and Drums in front in two lines drums in front and fife in back, then between these two were the three groups of sixteen ponies each. The officers of the three united being honored for the day.
Taze looked at Shawn as the walked. “Are we supposed to do something?” he whispered.
Shawn glanced over to Taze for a second. “Follow Matt’s lead. He seems to know what to do.” Shawn said, making sure to keep his mouth from moving much. As well as keeping his voice low.
Matthew did not even move but they thought they heard a small shssh from him. They were in the very back but still part of the formation. That of being in the middle of the group but just in the back. Where the NCO’s were as well to keep an eye on their own troops.
The group remained silent and then Celestia stepped forward to speak, across her side a massive two handed sword lay sheathed, the handle appeared to be white hot with a glowing diamond adorning the center. Around the parade grounds were citizens of Canterlot looking on in mostly curiosity sake. “Ponies of the Lunar Guard.” She began her voice magically amplified. “I have asked that you gather here today so you may be honored during the attacks upon Canterlot. As you know you took great risk and self determination to prepare for the need on if you were to be called.” She bowed her head. “I thank you personally for your dedication, the outcome would have been far worse if you had not prepared.”
Luna stepped forward next and spoke. Her Royal Canterlot voice fitting the scene perfectly. “We wish to present to both Unit and Self awards and citations for your valor and dedication to Equestria.”
While Matthew stood in rapt attention and listened to every word and syllable.
Taze waited as patiently as he could. Hand tapping against his side casualty.
Shawn was following suit like Matthew, at attention, his eyes focused forward.
It was an hour and a half later military time, but to Taze, felt like most of the noon and part of the afternoon that Celestia stepped forward, giving Luna the spotlight of giving the awards to her own troops. “This attack on Canterlot has shown great ponies from this trial. But it is not just Ponies who stepped forward to fight. A fight not of their own or even against their own nation. Three guests strived to fight as well.”
Luna stepped forward showing a grim look that to those who have been in ceremonies akin to this one before it was more solemn than grim. “Taze Warrior of Pokke Please step forward to be honored by the Rulers of Equestria.”
Taze walked forward slowly and measuredly timing his steps mentally. Upon approaching the princesses he proceeded to kneel as opposed to bowing.
Luna nodded. “They say a warrior is most distinguished not by his weapon or his name but by his spirit, in the battle of the Hall of History it was witnessed that you fought on after your weapons had been shattered or lost. However we have decided, though with opposition, that you are not yet deserving of the Order of Equestria.” Luna shot a veiled glare towards her sister. “Being as it may we believe that Equestria could benefit from a monster hunter. So we grant thee this writ allowing you to practice your trade within Equestria’s borders.”
Luna proceeded to float a parchment to Taze who took it with a nod and a thank you.
“We have also decided to personally compensate you for injuries gained in your service with the bits we would give to any of our guard.” Luna said handing him a small wooden chest. “And finally, remove thy weapon harness." Luna said as her horn glowed lifting a large wooden case.
With a confused eyebrow Taze worked his hands under his mail finding the buckles holding the harness to his back he unhooked them.
"Taze of hunter Pokke, you sacrificed your blades for the safety of Equestria, as such it is our wish that Equestria replace what you hath lost." As Luna spoke the wooden case opened revealing two sheathed blades as well as two dark blue steel pauldrons. The sheathed were made of leather dyed blue with steel reinforcing it down the blade polished to a silver shine, the pauldrons where intricately engraved the symbol of the waxing moon adorned the left side well the waning moon adorned the right. Taze watched as the pauldrons were placed on either shoulder. The sheathed blades pressed against his back. With a small gasp from Taze and the crowed silverlight traced from the blades and pauldrons into a cross formation on Taze’s chest.
Taze felt as the pauldrons tightened firmly yet comfortably too his shoulders the sheathed crossed his back securely. The light faded revealing a blue leather weapon harness with silver buckled, the harness included a crossing bandolier with small compartments down Taze’s chest
.
"We hath had many smiths working on these swords, we ourselves have offered our own touches to round them out. we based them on blades worn by a hero we knew a thousand years prior. These are waxing and waning as we have named them. The blades of Moonphase." As Luna spoke Taze unsheathed the blades to look directly at them.
The right handed blade was roughly sixty centimeters long by Tazes count, though he was very poor at measurements. The pommel held a small chunk of onyx cut to resemble the void of the vanishing moon with a small silver crescent representing the moon. The handle was wrapped in a thick black cord with a silver ring in the center. The cross hilt was shaped like the crescent moon with both points facing upward in the center there was a blue gem that Taze believed was a sapphire.
The blade was a long double edged type with a blood groove following the length of the blade almost to the tip. Inside the groove engraved onto the blade was the phases of the waning moon. The edge was smooth like a razor. The sword felt light and balanced in his hand. Taze turned his gaze to the other sword.
As was natural for an off handed weapon, this sword was closer to forty centimeters. The handle was similar to it's brother however the pommel was mostly silver with a small onyx silver to represent the moon growing. The cross hilt was also turned so both of the crescent points turned inwards. The blade was also a double edged blade with a blood groove however the groove now had the waxing phases of the moon engraved into it. the edges of this blade where instead serrated.
Unable to speak, Taze was stunned for a while before with a proud smile he lifted the blades in a warriors salute.
Taze backed away slowly still mystified by the blades as he stepped to the side.
“Matthew of America, step forward.” Celestia spoke stepping forward.
Matthew who was wearing his dress uniform, that being a WWII uniform complete with the officer hat with the American Crest. He slowly marched forward and kept his eyes forward, his arms swung slowly with the same rhythm. The other soldiers and Luna could see that he was mentally calling out a marching cadence. He climbed the steps to the platform and stood before the two Princess’ of Equestria. “Matthew of America, Reporting as asked.” he called out with a salute. He did not bow his head nor a knee. In the nobles who watched this was a scandal waiting to happen they felt.
“Tact.” Celestia spoke the word sternly for all to hear “Planning, ingenuity, and support these are the things that can win or lose wars. Matthew of America, it was witnessed that in the battle of the Hall of History you where protecting your fellows while at the same time organising the night guards sent with you by my sister to hold out as long as possible. For your valor and your tact.”
A small blue unicorn approached with a small chest on her back which Celestia opened, revealing two medals on a cushion both where in the shape of the Equestrian symbol of Luna and Celestia in a yin yang formation. Celestia’s parts were made of steel that shone brightly in the light and Luna’s were made of what seemed to be the same metal as her hammer.
“Equestria honors you with the Order of Equestria, the highest honor we can bestow of one not in our military.” Celestia levitated the medal to Matthew with all do ceremony. “This medal is given only to those who have aided Equestria in incredible acts of valor with no thought or expectation of personal gain.”
Matthew blinked the only sign that he understood what was being said before finally bowing his head to allow the medal to be placed around his neck.
“With this medal we award you honorary citizenship of Equestria” Celestia said levitating a scroll to Matthew. “We also award you compensation due for your injuries gained during the battle.” Again she levitated him a small wooden chest.
Matthew raised his head once the medal had been placed around his neck and moved to accept the items given. He held the small wooden chest in both hands and the scroll was placed on top of the chest for him to carry with a little ease.
“Finally,” Celestia said “Though it is not as functional as the blades my sister commissioned, I have retrieved this from my personal armory to better accommodate your uniform, I’ve noticed our sabers are small and look out of place.” She handed Matthew a cloth bundle.
The bundle was placed on top of the chest but after a moment Celestia realized that Matthew was having a slight problem in trying to balance everything and also to untuck the bundle as well. She took a corner of the bundle and pulled it back to help keep from having all the items tumble onto the platform in a cacophony of sound. Which was thankfully avoided by Celestia’s quick thinking
“This saber was taken by me upon defeat of the invading Gryphon army, 1200 years ago.” Celestia explained. “I took it from the commanding general Tailwind as a sign of my victory. He named the blade Chrysanthum.”
Celestia could see an odd glint in Matthew’s eyes upon his ears hearing those words he looked down at the sword with awe and Celestia smiled inside it was that same glint she had seen many times before, it was a glint of one who cherished history.
Celestia and Luna as well as the entire lunar guard proceeded to honor Matthew further with a unified salute mimicking his own style. Matthew without missing a beat and finally able to balance the items with one hand and arm returned the salute crisply and smartly before lowering it. Showing he knew military tradition that the one being given the salute would drop it first to show that the others could then drop their own salute. Inside he was a little shocked and humbled by this show of respect.
“Dismissed!” Luna spoke sharply.
Matthew stiffened again, turned smartly with a right face and marched with his hands full over to where Taze was standing where he did an about face and stood at attention with his knees bent a little to prevent them from locking as he watched from where Taze had picked to stand.
“Shawn of Pokke.” Luna spoke first.
“Step forward.” Celestia echoed.
Following order, he walked over to where he was to be, then placed his left arm behind his back and his right over his chest before giving a small bow to not agitate his side. After this he put his hands behind his back, his right hand holding the back his left.
“There are many in battle who fall, it is the saddest part of conflict, there must always be casualties, but when somepony or person has the will to stand back up, to look into the eye’s of the enemy and say, ‘I am not finished!’ this quality is rarest of all.” Luna began.
“Rarer still is one who when coming from the comfort of high society willingly seeks out the enemy and puts themselves at the same risk as those that are asked to protect them.” Celestia added. One could see that she might be trying to teach her ponies something even here.
“It is for this Shawn,” Luna stated
“That we wish to bestow these gifts on behalf of not just ourselves but as a sign of respect from all of Equestria to you and your noble house.” Celestia finished with a small fold of her left wing to go in front of her chest.
Luna levitated the other medal from the cushioned chest. “First we honor you with the Order of Equestria” Luna stepped forward to place the medal on Shawns neck. Following suit, he lowered his head. Luna slid the medal gently onto his neck before stepping back.
Celestia smiled and presented a small scroll. “It is with humble hopes that you accept this offer of an honorary citizenship within our nation. So as to allow you travel unhindered among the many cities and treasures of our land both of culture and society, as well as the rich history and traditions of Pony kind.”
Shawn gave a smile in return and accepted the scroll of citizenship.
“We cannot put a price on life.” Luna began. “And you gave yours for Equestria not once, but three times, we can only hope this meager compensation wIll help in your recovery.” Luna spoke as two pegasus solar guards flew down carrying a slightly larger silver chest between them. “We will, of course lend you these guards to convey it where you see fit”
It was noticeable those near Shawn as his eyes widened slightly, looking back to the Princesses he gave a bigger, respectable nod.
Celestia and Luna shared a look as the two of them ignited there horns. Something massive covered and bound in a leather cloth floated over. “We have been informed by our smith that you have expressed a desire for a heavy weapon, seeing as you currently wield a two hoofed sword in one hand it seems we have been unable to accommodate you, that is until now.” They set the parcel at his feet. “We have brought in this blade from the minotaur headlands, it was forged originally for a herd chief who was recently cut down in battle. The minotaurs are somewhat crude smiths but they have found a metal that is hard to equal, they name this steel, Damascus.”
Upon hearing the name of the metal his eyes widened slightly. Looking down to the wrapped weapon in front of him, he moved down onto one knee and, with care, unwrapped it.
The first thing he noticed was the pommel shaped like a large round metal ball with a spike sticking out of it. Further down revealed a simple leatherbound double handle with bits of cord wrapped around it. The cross hilt was large but the metals surface was crude with bumps and dents all over where a smith may have been too eager. A sturdy but unadorned hide sheath hid the blade from view, a shoulder harness already in place. Shawn could judge by the look of it the blade was only a bit shorter than himself.
With a nod, Shawn pulled the weapon out slightly to get a look at it.
The steel was unpolished and yet Shawn could see the red lines inside the steel that marked it as Damascus steel. The blade was straight with a roughly carved blood channel that almost seemed to follow the waves though this didn’t seem to be the smiths intention. Shawns grin steadily grew as he took in the details from what he could see.
“Does it please you?” Celestia asked.
“It is remarkable.” Shawn said with a smile.
“Unfortunately the warrior who it was meant for never got a chance to name it, I believe this honor falls to you.” Celestia said.
After giving a quick look over one last time, he looked up and with a small smile said, “Collectori, or The Collector, in this language.”
“Very well.” Celestia nodded. “Further, after taking counsel we have come to a decision and must ask yet another favor from you three.”
Luna approached, “One thousand years ago before my banishment, me and my sister lived within a palace that stands in what is now the Everfree forest.”
“We, feel that it might do well if you were to led some men to both secure, and repair it a little. It would be nice if we could have a place to visit our friends.”
“Further.” Luna spoke. “It is our decision that for your safety you shall work on this venture based in the town of Ponyville under the protection of the Elements of Harmony.”
Taze grinned from ear to ear upon hearing this. Finally out of Canterlot.
Matthew remained unmoved and kept at attention. He continued to show a sign of Military decorum.
Shawn stood from where he was kneeling, with a certain object strapped to his back. “It would be an honor.”
On some unseen signal the band began to play. Taze winked at Matthew as the princesses faces turned to surprise at the alien song that began playing. Taze laughed to himself as he made a short wookie growl as the throne room theme sounded out for all to hear. The three humans turned there backs to the princesses to stand and stare dramatically into the crowd.
Matthew remained frozen as he stared forward. He was frankly just happy to be alive. He just did what he felt was his duty to his own moral code.